Can't connect to the internet

I have run into an interesting problem I am hoping you can help me with. My brother was given an old (2007) Dell Optiplex 745 with Windows XP Pro SP2. It hadn't been used in quite a while so the person who owned it forgot the password. I could not figure out how to get to the recovery partition to activate so we used the disc that came with the machine to format and install Windows. The drivers are on a separate disc so naturally that meant that the drivers for the network and audio were not installed, so no internet. We got the latest network driver from Dell and installed it so that in the device manager it shows the driver and even shows a running clock when we open the properties as if it were connected, and it also says the device is working properly.....but no internet. I tried logging into the modem and it won't do that either. Says page cannot be displayed. Both the modem and the Ethernet port on the PC are lit. I am really stumped!

Sounds like you're trying to obtain network access so you can download all the latest drivers. I agree with that concept, but if it were me I would download all the drivers from the manufacturer's web site using another computer, then install them - starting with the latest chip-set driver(s).
I'd also suggest that you should also install XP Service Pack 3.

1. If you have an extra NIC (network interface card) laying around, install it in the computer, get on the internet with it, and then do a Windows update. Look in the hardware updates, and you will likely see an update listed for your NIC. Install that update. You can then remove the temporary NIC you just installed.

2. Go into Device Manager. Look through the properties for your NIC. You will find a VEN number (vendor) and a DEV number (device) (each will be four characters long). You can then go here to search for the driver. Either the driver will be on this site, or it will point you to where the driver can be found.

Once you are able to get on the internet with the computer, it will be easy to download and install all of the other drivers you are missing.

If it does not work them one possibility is the Ethernet has failed and a card (or USB Ethernet device) will need be added. Make sure the Ethernet is not disabled in BIOS as well. Or the cable or connection could be bad, improperly seated.

Well believe it or not the problem was a corrupt installation. We installed Chrome and went right to the internet. Internet Explorer said "Page could not be found" so Internet Explorer was the problem, and since it is tied to the Windows shell, we obviously got some corruption in the installation.

All of your remarks were appreciated and we will use the links for final updated drivers. I just didn't suspect the browser was the problem. I assume SP3 will fix it.

Thanks again for your responses.

PS the old woody's lounge use to kick out an email when a response was posted. I haven't received any emails so I'm glad I checked the site to leave this update.

If you have the settings Joe suggested, the lounge will kick out an email when the first response is posted. There may also be other replies, but you will not receive any more notifications until you visit the forum again. So if you miss the first email, you won't see any notifications.